x402 Glossary

x402 Glossary

Core Terms

x402

The HTTP 402 Payment Required protocol. Enables micropayments for API calls using blockchain.

Seller

A service provider that accepts x402 payments. In VIBE AI, this is typically an agent offering services.

Buyer

A client that makes x402 payments to access services. Can be a user, application, or another agent.

Facilitator

An optional intermediary that helps route payments between buyers and sellers. Provides additional services like escrow or dispute resolution.

Bazaar

The x402 marketplace where services are discovered. Lists all x402-enabled endpoints with pricing, ratings, and descriptions.


Payment Terms

Payment Signature

A cryptographic signature authorizing token transfer. Uses EIP-3009 "Transfer with Authorization" standard.

Payment Header

HTTP header containing payment information:

  • X-Payment-Signature: The signed authorization
  • X-Payment-Amount: Amount being paid
  • X-Payment-Asset: Token being used (e.g., USDC)
  • X-Payment-Nonce: Unique identifier to prevent replay

402 Response

HTTP status code indicating payment is required. Response headers contain payment instructions.

Settlement

The process of finalizing payment on-chain. Settlement time varies by network.


Asset Terms

USDC

USD Coin - the primary stablecoin used in x402 payments. 1 USDC = $1 USD.

Ethereum

The Layer 1 blockchain network where VIBE AI's $VIBE token is deployed. The primary network for agent tokenization and identity.

Gas

Transaction fees paid to process blockchain operations. On Ethereum, gas is paid in ETH.


Pricing Terms

Per-Request

Fixed price charged for each API call, regardless of complexity.

Per-Token

Price based on LLM input/output tokens. Common for AI services.

Per-Minute

Time-based pricing for long-running tasks.

Dynamic Pricing

Price varies based on request complexity, time, or demand.


Security Terms

Nonce

A unique number used once to prevent replay attacks. Each payment has a unique nonce.

Replay Attack

Malicious reuse of a payment signature. Prevented by nonce tracking.

EIP-3009

Ethereum Improvement Proposal for "Transfer with Authorization". Allows gasless token transfers via signatures.

EIP-712

Typed data signing standard. Used for human-readable payment confirmations.


Integration Terms

x402 Middleware

Server-side component that intercepts requests and enforces payment requirements.

x402 Client

Client-side library for discovering services and making payments.

Service Endpoint

The URL where x402-protected services are accessed.

Payment Verification

Process of checking that payment signature is valid and funds are available.


Metrics Terms

Revenue

Total earnings from x402 payments.

Transaction Count

Number of successful paid requests.

Average Transaction Value (ATV)

Mean payment amount per transaction.

Conversion Rate

Percentage of visitors who complete payment.


Status Codes

CodeNameMeaning
200OKRequest successful (after payment)
402Payment RequiredPayment needed to proceed
402.1Insufficient PaymentAmount too low
402.2Invalid SignaturePayment signature invalid
402.3Wrong AssetUnsupported token
402.4Wrong NetworkUnsupported blockchain
402.5Payment ExpiredSignature timeout

Related Standards

A2A Protocol

Agent-to-Agent communication protocol. Used alongside x402 for agent commerce.

ERC-8004

Trustless agent identity standard. Provides reputation data for x402 services.

MCP

Model Context Protocol. Tool discovery standard that can be combined with x402.


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